Intermittently operated water-gas generator



Nov. 14, 1939.

P. VAN ACKEREN 2,179,650

INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED WATER-GAS GENERATOR Filed Aug. 10, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 14, 1939. P V AKEREN 2,179,650 I INTERMITTEN'ILY OPERATED WATER*GAS GENERATOR Filed Aug. 10, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 44/4 2 v 7 76 Z 78 I7 Z 75 70 76 n 77 7 l0 uh-"A 14 Z 7 I4 Z7 Z7 I 24 Z I 75 g 75 19 i7 20 20 0 0 o -o l9 Z$ 6a 27 %a 6 7 25C! x 1 MA fin Patented Nov. 14, 1939 PATENT OFFICE INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED WATER-GAS GENERATOR Paul Van Ackeren, Essen, Germany, assignor, by

mesne assignments,

to Koppers Company,

Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application August 10, 1937, Serial No. 158,279 In Germany August 12, 1936 5 Claims.

The invention relates to improvement for intermittently operating water-gas generators or the like, i. e. those water-gas generators, in which the fuel during one operating period is heated by blowing air or other gases containing oxygen through the generator charge and during the next operating period steam is introduced,'if suitable together with other gases, so that the steam will react with carbon of the fuel with the formation of water-gas. The invention relates more particularly to such types of intermittently operating water-gas generators, in which the air used for blowing the fuel charge to incandescence is passed upwards through the fuel charge of the gas generator and in which the air ,or other oxygen, containing gas (perhaps together with coal-gas or the like), are also introduced into the generator at a point above the charge, in order to burn the combustible gases generated during the blow-run, so that very hot waste-gases will escape from the generator during the blow run and the heat of said waste-gases may be stored in a regenerator or other suitable heat exchanger, connected with a generator and traversed during the next operating period by the steam or steam-gas mixture to be introduced into the water-gas generator, such steam or steam gas mixture being heated up in the regenerator or other heat exchanger to such a high temperature, that the Water-gas reaction in the generator will be favourably effected and the yield of valuable water-gas will be increased.

The main object of my invention consists in the provision of such improvements in watergas generators according to which improvements air or other gases containing oxygen and, if possible, also combustible gases may be introduced most safely into the gas producer at a point above the fuel charge.

When making use of the gas producers as known heretofore and which are provided with means for the introduction of air or other gases into the gas producer at a point above the fuel charge, it may happen that serious explosions will take place in the air feeding pipeline leading to the upper section of the gas producer. Although these explosions are mostly not very serious, they nevertheless endanger the operation of the gas producer to a great extent, thus making difficult supervision bf the same.

I have now found that the above-mentioned explosions are caused by forming, within the air feeding pipelines between the shut-off valve, which is closed during the blow-run, and the nozzles or the like leading to the gas producer shaft, of explosive mixtures of gas and air, carrying some water-gas from the gas producer during the blowing period into the air feeding pipelines.

Based upon this discovery, I now provide according to my invention a special shut-off valve in each air feeding pipeline, at a point near its entrance into the gas generator and all these shut-off valves are governed by a common reversing device for instance by a chain or another flexible connecting means.

Another important feature of my present invention is to provide similar air inlets fitted with said shut-off valves, also in the lower section of the gas producer, near the grate, so that it is possible to introduce an adjustable quantity of air from below into the outer layers of the gasproducer charge.

Finally, an important improvement according to my invention comprises a special arrangement of the nozzles or pipe branches, through which air or other gases may be introduced into the gas generator. According to my invention, these nozzles or pipe branches, which are arranged around the circumference of the gas producer, are fitted in such a way, that they may serve at the same time as inspection or poking holes, through which the outer zones of the gas producer can be supervised and loosened.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and carried into practice, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 is a side view of a part of the water-gas generator, built according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the gas generator on line 11-11 of Figure 1 and Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the complete gas generator on line III-IH of Figure 2.

The shaft of the water-gas generator, illustrated on the drawings, is formed by the refractory brickwork I, which is arranged in a gastight steel jacket 2. The fuel to be treated is delivered from an ordinary charging hopper 1 through the opening 5, arranged in the ceiling of the gas producer shaft into the shaft 3. The lower section of the gas producer shaft is fitted with a revolving grate B, which is connected with an ash collecting channel I. The hood 6a of the grate is fitted with suitable openings, through which air from the pipeline 8 can be introduced into the producer shaft. This air is used for blowing-hot the fuel in the gas producer.

The gases developed in the fuel charge during the blowing period are withdrawn through the pipeline 9, leaving the upper section of the gas 5 producer shaft at point 3a. The pipeline 9 leads to a regenerator or heat accumulator, not shown on the drawings. The hot gases escaping from the producer shaft during the blowing period transfer their heat to the checkerwork of the regenerator.

As soon as the charge of the producer shaft is sufficiently blown-hot, the admission of air to the producer shaft is stopped and steam is then added to the producer shaft. This steam is first run through the regenerator or heat accumulator, connected with the pipeline 9, so that it is highly heated. The hot steam flows from the top downwards through the charge of the producer shaft and escapes through the openings of the grate-hood 6 into the pipeline 8a, from where the water-gas produced is delivered to the point of utilization.

If necessary, the steam may also run through the charge of the producer shaft from below upwards, in which case steam from steam pipe 817 is admlttedthroughthe opening of the gratehood Go, from below into the producer shaft. The up run steam water gas thereby produced is withdrawn through the pipeline 9 into a different gas pipeline from the line for off-flow of blow gases, both of which are interconnected with pipeline 9 so that each of said gas pipelines .must be shut-ofi during operation of the other for the hot-blow or the run through the producer shaft.

Under certain conditions it may be advisable to introduce a purging cycle between the hotblow and the water-gas steaming period of the producer shaft. Furthermore, it is preferable to pass the steam through the producer shaft first from the top downwards, then from below upwards and finally again from the top downwards. The kind of operation adopted for each single case is, without importance for the utilization of my present invention.

Air inlets l6 alternating with inlets II for heating gas are arranged in the upper section 3a along the periphery of the producer. These inlets may be formed by special refractory tubes, which preferably have the shape of nozzles. Pipelines l3 lead to the respective air-inlets l6, and each pipeline I3 is provided with a shut-ofl valve l4 arranged near its air-inlet Ill. The other end of each pipe line I3 is communicably connected with an annular air-pipeline l5, which encircles the jacket 2 of the gas producer. The annular air pipeline I5 is connected with the air feeding pipeline |5a..

From the annular pipeline I5 pipelines [9 also lead, which are controlled by the shut-off valves 20. These pipelines l9 lead to the nozzle-like openings 22, which are arranged in the lower section of the gas producer, approximately near the grate-hood 6a. Inclined pipes 2| which are fitted with replaceable covers 23, and to which the pipelines 19 lead essentially at right angles, are connected on the outside of the producer to the openings 22.

The pipe branches 2| are arranged and located so that, after the removal of the cover 23, the interior of the gas producer shaft is accessible through the openings 22, to break the slags or to inspect the producer charge.

Tht pipe branches 2| can also be connected to a steam pipeline 23a, by means of short unions, to introduce steam through the openings 22 at the circumference of the producer shaft.

For the purpose of adjusting the quantity-of air to be introduced through the openings 16 into the producer shaft, I have provided in each pipeline 13 the throttle valves 24 or other suitable regulating means. Similar regulating devices may also be arranged in the lower air supply pipelines l9.

The gas inlets II in the top section of the producer are each connected with a feeder l6, which by the insertion of a shut-off and regulating valve I! are connected with an annular gas pipeline I 8 which is in connection with the main gas pipeline 26. The end of the main gas pipeline 28 is suitably provided with a throttle valve 28a, by means of which the gas supply to all gas inlets II can be commonly governed.

All shut-off valves M, 26, I1 and the regulating valves 24 are connected to a common reversing device 26. If cock plugs are for instance used as shut-01f valves, the cock plugs are provided with adjusting levers 21, which point to one side, especially downwards and which are connected to a chain or rope cable 26.

As may be seen from Figure 2, the pulling cable 26 is supported by rollers 25 in such a way that it may extend around the gas producer. The ends of the pulling cable 26 lead to a reversing device, not shown on the drawings, but wellknown to all experts being familiar with the water-gas generators. These pulling cables can be of any desired construction.

The method of operating the gas producer, as shown on the drawings, is about as follows:

It is assumed that the charge of the gas producer is cooled-down so that it can be blownhot again.

For this purpose the water-gas pipeline 8a is shut-off and the pipe line 9 is connected with the regenerator. (not shown on the drawings) and with the chimney, whereupon the air pipeline 8 is opened. Simultaneously, or, when the circumstances of the fuel bed suggest a delayed initiation, somewhat later after the start of the air blow through line 8 shut-off valves H of the air inlets H) are opened by manipulation of the pulling cable 26 therefor. The throttle valves 24 are adjusted in such a way, that the desired quantity of air flows into the upper free section 3a of the producer shaft. If the producer charge is blown hot, there are formed combustible gases containing carbon monoxide. These combustible constituents of the gases are burnt together with the air introduced into the upper section 3a of the producer shaft, by which the temperature of the hot-blown gases flowing-oil is increased considerably.

The hot-blown gases therefore transfer most of their heat to the checkerwork of the regenerator.

Immediately -with the introduction of air from the pipeline 8, the shut-off valve 20 of the lower air inlet 22 can also be opened, so that the charge of the producer is, likewise, well hot-blown at the circumference of the shaft.

If t 2 fuel charge is blown sufllciently hot, the air admission to the various points of the producer shaft is then stopped and as already mentioned before, steam is run through the fuel charge of the producer.

The various shut-off valves l1, l4 and 20 are arranged, if possible, very near to the openings provided in the chamber wall of the producer shaft. The spaces containing air, and in which the gas air mixtures are formed after the reversal of the operating period are thereby kept so small, that it is impossible to cause a serious explosion.

If the heat developed by the combustion of the combustible constituents of the hotblow gases does not sumce, for increasing the temperature of the od-flowing hot-blow gases in the desired way, combustible gases for instance coke-oven gas, water-gas or air-gas may be introduced into the upper section 3a of the gas producer, through the openings ii.

The present invention can be preferably adapted to all kinds of intermittently operating watergas generators, and especially also to those steam generators, in which coke-oven gas or other gases containing hydrocarbons are to be converted for the production of hydrogen and other constituents. In latter case it is desirable to keep the temperature of the regenerator connected with the gas generator at such a degree, that the heat necessary for the decomposition of the hydrocarbons will have been transferred to the gas containing a mixture of steam and hydrocarbons within the regenerator, so that no heat will be taken from the gas producer for the decomposition of the hydrocarbons.

I have new described my present invention on the lines of a preferred embodiment thereof, but my invention is not limited in all of its aspects to the 'mode of carrying it out as described and shown, since the invention may be variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

i. A water-gas generator comprising a shell having a fuel-bed chamber therein; means for introducing fuel to be gasifled at the upper part of the generator and central mechanical gas-diffusion-hood grate-means for withdrawing ash at the lower part of the fuel-bed chamber; means at the lower part of the fuel-bed chamber for upair-blasting a fuel bed in the chamber with a primary air-blast and for withdrawing down-run water-gas from the fuel-bed chamber through the mechanical gas-diflusion-hood grate-means; and means at the upper part of the fuel-bed cham-. her for introducing down-run water-gas making steam and for withdrawing up-air-blow gases from the fuel-bed chamber above the top level of the fuel-bed for which the fuel-bed chamber is designed to be charged with fuel; and means comprising a series of secondary air inlet-ports in the generator shell and conduits individual thereto extending through the shell to the ports from outside the shell and a bustle pipe for the conduits, said inlet-ports and conduits and bustle pipe therefor being arranged circumferentially around the upper part of the generator for introducing secondary air circumferentially into the generator chamber above the fuel bed therein concurrently with the operation of the up-airblast means. for secondary combustion of the blow gases therefrom in the top of the generator above the fuel bed therein in advance of olfnow of the blow gases to the upper ofltake means therefor; and in whicha separate shut-ofi valve is provided in each of the aforesaid individual conduits for the respective secondary air inletports. with the shut-d valves located in a porhon of their respective pipes that is so very near to the openings for the pipes in the generator shell as to thereby keep the portion of the individual pipes that is exposed to receive gas and air mixtures from the fuel-bed chamber, when the shutoff valves are closed, so small that such exposed portions of the pipe cannot hold a mixture of gas and air to cause a serious explosion theref therein.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and in which auxiliary valve means are provided in the respective individual secondary-air inlet pipes for individually regulating the quantity of gaseous media fed by the same, and in which the shutoff valves for the respective pipes are located in the same intermediate the air inlet port and the auxiliary regulating valve for the pipe.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claiml, and in which the shut-ofi valves for each of the individual secondary air inlet pipes are connected in common with valve reversing means for operating the valves of the water gas generator by means of a reversing cable extending circumferentialiy around the gas generator shell.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and in which means comprising a circumferential series of auxiliary air inlet ports in the generator shell and a circumferential series of conduits individual to the ports extending through the shell from outside the same and having individual shut-oft valves, are provided for feeding primary air into the circumference of the fuel-bed chamber in the region of the mechanical grate but above the same, concurrently with the operation of both the primary air-blast means for inflow of air through the grate and the secondary air inlet ports and pipes for inflow of secondary air to the blow gases above the fuel bed in the generator.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and in which means comprising a circumferential series of auxiliary air and gas inlet ports in the generator shell and a circumferentialseries of conduits individual to the ports extending through the shell from outside the same and having individual shut-off valves, are provided for feeding extraneous combustible gas into the top of the generator above the fuel bed adjacent the secondary air inlets and primary air into the circumference of the fuel-bed chamber in the region of the mechanical grate but above the same, concurrently with the operation of both the primary air-blast means for inflow of air through the grate and the secondary air inlet ports and pipes for inflow of secondary air to the blow -gases above the fuel bed in the generator, and in which the individual secondary air inlet pipes and the auxiliary primary conduits both communicate with one and the same bustle pipe and in which separate reversing cables are provided for serving in common the shut-oi! valves for the secondary air inlet pipes and for serving in common the shut-0E valves for the auxiliary primary air-inlet pipes, each said cable extending circumferentially around the gas generator and being mounted for reciprocation while still circumscribing the generator shell.

PAUL VAN semen. 

